Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a disorder that affects the nerves controlling the voluntary muscles. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the affected nerve cells are located in the spinal cord, brain and brain stem, although the muscles that become weak and unable to function are located throughout the body. Men are more commonly affected. While considered a fatal disease, some patients live for 10 or more years after diagnosis.
Initial Symptoms
The first symptoms that eventually lead most patients to the doctor for diagnosis include frequent stumbling, muscle cramps or difficulty swallowing. The patient may notice that she has become clumsy, dropping things that she is carrying. Some patients will have family members point out to them that their voice sounds different, either slurred or as though they have a stuffy nose. Mayo Clinic reports that some people report difficulty raising the front of the foot. Writing by hand may require more effort than usual. The ALS Association states that some patients will develop episodes of crying or laughing that they cannot govern.
Mid-Course Findings
As the disease progresses, movement may become more difficult, and the patient may need to ambulate with a cane or other support. The speech continues to change, with the voice sounding as though the tongue is not moving as it should. The muscles may become painfully stiff, and muscle twitching can sometimes be observed underneath the skin. It may become noticeable that the arm and leg muscles are losing mass. Constipation and fatigue are common in the middle stages of Lou Gehrig's disease.
Late Manifestations
Eventually, the person with ALS is unable to stand or walk on his own. He becomes unable to chew and swallow properly and may choke on food. Weight loss often occurs as swallowing problems worsen. Hand and arm movements weaken to the point of paralysis. The patient loses his ability to speak and develops difficulty breathing on his own. Rarely, a patient develops mental issues or dementia at this late stage. Most patients remain fully cognitive.
Considerations
The symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease vary somewhat from person to person, as does the progression of the illness. The ALS Association reports that a few patients have experienced a remission or halting of their symptoms. It is important to seek treatment, as medicine and therapy is available to slow the progression and treat the symptoms of this illness.
